The New Lines Institute appears less like a conventional research body and more like a multi-layered system, where knowledge intersects with funding, and media overlaps with spheres of political influence.

Iraqi FM and presidential candidate Fuad Hussein confirmed that Mark Savaya no longer serves as President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, noting that Tom Barrack now oversees the Iraqi portfolio.

In a move that sent political shockwaves through Iraq, the Official Gazette published a decision listing Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi group as terrorist organizations, a step the Iraqi central bank later walked back, calling it an “unintentional mistake.”

Before Iraq’s elections, Washington made no secret of its desire to keep militias away from both the political and security arenas, arguing that their presence strengthens Iranian influence in the country.

While Ankara continues to issue warnings to the SDF, diplomatic contacts between Turkiye and Syria are increasing, particularly after the two countries’ defense ministries signed a joint training and advisory agreement.